Thank you, Friend, for your interest in my little recording project. I truly hope you enjoy the music, and even more I hope you appreciate the value of both political and personal (spiritual) Freedom. May God bless you as you stand for what is right.
Oh, Freedom (Traditional)
I can't remember where I first heard this little tune. But the phrase "before I'd be a slave I'd be buried in my grave" seemed to set the theme for what I wanted this album to be about.
Blacksmith of Brandywine (Pat & Victoria Garvey)
Ed – 12 string guitar & banjo. Bass by the Jammer.
I begin with some songs reminding us of the struggles and sacrifice that first bought and then secured our freedom. I have loved this song since I first heard it on the New Christy Minstrels album The Land of Giants. It's a tale of a personal battle fought during the Battle of Brandywine on September 11, 1777. My internet research could not conclude for certain whether this particular giant was a legend or historical reality, but his story rings true in the hearts of all who love their families and their freedom.
Remember the Alamo (Jane Bowers)
Ed – 6 & 12 string guitars. Bass by The Jammer.
What were these amazing patriots thinking? A hundred and eighty against thousands? Wouldn't a tactical retreat have made more sense? They could have opted out of this battle, but they did not. They chose certain death in exchange for - what, exactly? Their honor? A principle? How many of us today would make a similar choice?
I don't think we can know from the perspective of our 21st century society, just how important the principle of freedom was to these men. Christianity was a much greater societal influence then. I suspect they were remembering Jesus' words from John 15:13 "Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends." This song begs us to consider: Just where would WE draw the line in defense of freedom?
Comin' In on a Wing and a Prayer (Harold Adamson and Jimmy McHugh (1943))
Ed – 12 string Guitar. All other instruments by The Jammer.
I first heard this song on a player piano we had when I was a kid. It was very popular around 1944. The guys on the plane were certainly ready to "pay the ultimate price", but this time it wasn't necessary. I personally relate to this part of the war because my father-in-law was shot down over Germany and spent some time in one of "Hitler's hotels". When he returned home he never felt inclined to say much about his time there.
I love the line "with our full crew on board and our trust in the Lord". Trust in the Lord was not unusual in 1944. That line in a popular song probably wasn't especially noticed. The last positive reference to God in a popular song that I remember hearing was during the Jesus movement in the 1970s. This is another example of our culture shift, and how such an integral foundation of our society has been marginalized.
Last Night I Had the Strangest Dream (Ed McCurdy with additional verse by Ed Stockton)
Ed – 6 string guitar. All other instruments by The Jammer.
Okay, here comes the sarcasm. I have always viewed this song as the poster child for naïvety. The Bible teaches, and clearly illustrates, that there has only ever been One sinless person on Earth, and that the rest of us are inherently sinful. The "hope" this song expresses has absolutely no chance of success. So is there an answer to war? Sadly, no. Jesus tells us that there will be "wars and rumors of wars" (Matthew 24:6) until He returns.
There is an episode of the Simpsons in which space aliens conquer Earth when they convince everyone to lay down their weapons. Everyone is enslaved to them until someone picks up a board with a rusty nail in it. Suddenly he has a weapon and Earth is liberated! So that's what I was thinking about when I wrote that last verse.
Pray for Peace (Rick Schroeder)
All instruments by Apple Loops.
My friend Rick Schroeder wrote and released this song quite a few years ago on his album Pegasus Flight. The chorus is the clearest statement of truth on this subject I have ever heard. I really wanted you to hear it and consider its simply stated, yet profound, wisdom.
Reuben James (Woodie Guthrie)
Ed – 6 string guitar. Band-in-a-Box – lead banjo. All other instruments by The Jammer.
When I heard the Kingston Trio sing this song I really liked it. And I was deeply moved by the line "still I wonder why the worst of men must fight and the best of men must die."
Then I began to research the historical event itself. I was outraged to learn that German U-boat commander Erich Topp sank the Reuben James in October 1941, at least 5 weeks before Pearl Harbor and America's entrance into the war. This "courageous" commander sunk the David H. Atwater 6 months later. The Atwater was an unarmed freighter carrying 4,000 tons of coal. As the crew tried to lower the lifeboats Topp machine-gunned the boats and the survivors. After the war he was appointed Chief of Staff in command of the NATO fleet. Clearly Wikipedia must have omitted something because I can't quite understand why we honor a man like that.
The Great American Novel (Larry Norman)
Ed – 12 string guitar. Bass by Apple Loops.
Larry Norman, the first Christian rock musician, first recorded this song in 1972. Stunning how appropriate it is after nearly half a century! Yes, society will always be a mess because we are sinners, but Larry nails the real issue in the last line: "A man leaves his darkness when he follows the Son." Ultimately the only thing that really matters is our relationship with Jesus (Matthew 7:22-23). I only changed a couple of words. For the record, these changes were made when I recorded the song in late 2015.
Road to Freedom (John Stewart)
Ed – 6 & 12 string guitars and banjo. Bass by The Jammer.
A song inspired by protests in the 60s. It is still appropriate, because those who "stand for Liberty" do more than march and protest. They stand up for the persecuted in everyday situations. They defend the helpless against bullying - including physical, psychological, and bureaucratic. And because of sin there will never be a shortage of bullies and those who would forcibly impose their will on others. So truly, we do have "a long way to go."
If You Don't Look Around (John Stewart)
Ed – 12 string guitar. All other instruments by The Jammer.
This is an inspiring song about the courage to take a stand with others who are fighting for Liberty. It was running through my mind as I rode a bus to Washington DC for a March for Life. The song encourages us to do the right thing, no matter how “politically incorrect” it may be. This calls for great courage, and a true understanding of liberty’s real value.
I play my 46 year old Yamaha 12 string on this one. I just needed that low, rough sound it has.
Get Your Act Together (Ed Stockton)
Ed – 6 string guitar. Bass by The Jammer. All other instruments by Apple Loops.
I wrote this song because I wanted to emphasize that while political freedom has immense value, true Freedom is a gift from Jesus Christ which He offers to all who will receive it. “If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” John 8:36, (ESV) My prayer for you and all who hear this song is that you will experience the Freedom of knowing that your sins are forgiven, and that you have been adopted into God's family and now have unrestricted access to your magnificent Heavenly Father. As you learn to know Him and trust His love you, too, will desire to "get your act together and take it on the road." The greatest thrill I have ever known is when I am allowed to be present when God forgives and rescues a soul. You should ask Him to use you in that work. There's nothing like it!
God Bless America / Prayer of Confession (Irving Berlin / Ed Stockton)
All instruments by The Jammer.
This is my prayer - that God WOULD bless America. The Prophet Daniel, while he was a captive in exile from his home, prayed, confessing the sins of Israel. So I borrowed the first line of his prayer (Daniel 9:4 - 5, ESV) and wrote a prayer of confession for the sins of America. Neither Daniel nor I have committed all of the sins in our respective prayers, but we are citizens of a nation that has done so. Thanks be to God that He freely forgives and reconciles all who sincerely repent, seek Him and trust Him.
Oh, Freedom (Traditional)
I can't remember where I first heard this little tune. But the phrase "before I'd be a slave I'd be buried in my grave" seemed to set the theme for what I wanted this album to be about.
Blacksmith of Brandywine (Pat & Victoria Garvey)
Ed – 12 string guitar & banjo. Bass by the Jammer.
I begin with some songs reminding us of the struggles and sacrifice that first bought and then secured our freedom. I have loved this song since I first heard it on the New Christy Minstrels album The Land of Giants. It's a tale of a personal battle fought during the Battle of Brandywine on September 11, 1777. My internet research could not conclude for certain whether this particular giant was a legend or historical reality, but his story rings true in the hearts of all who love their families and their freedom.
Remember the Alamo (Jane Bowers)
Ed – 6 & 12 string guitars. Bass by The Jammer.
What were these amazing patriots thinking? A hundred and eighty against thousands? Wouldn't a tactical retreat have made more sense? They could have opted out of this battle, but they did not. They chose certain death in exchange for - what, exactly? Their honor? A principle? How many of us today would make a similar choice?
I don't think we can know from the perspective of our 21st century society, just how important the principle of freedom was to these men. Christianity was a much greater societal influence then. I suspect they were remembering Jesus' words from John 15:13 "Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends." This song begs us to consider: Just where would WE draw the line in defense of freedom?
Comin' In on a Wing and a Prayer (Harold Adamson and Jimmy McHugh (1943))
Ed – 12 string Guitar. All other instruments by The Jammer.
I first heard this song on a player piano we had when I was a kid. It was very popular around 1944. The guys on the plane were certainly ready to "pay the ultimate price", but this time it wasn't necessary. I personally relate to this part of the war because my father-in-law was shot down over Germany and spent some time in one of "Hitler's hotels". When he returned home he never felt inclined to say much about his time there.
I love the line "with our full crew on board and our trust in the Lord". Trust in the Lord was not unusual in 1944. That line in a popular song probably wasn't especially noticed. The last positive reference to God in a popular song that I remember hearing was during the Jesus movement in the 1970s. This is another example of our culture shift, and how such an integral foundation of our society has been marginalized.
Last Night I Had the Strangest Dream (Ed McCurdy with additional verse by Ed Stockton)
Ed – 6 string guitar. All other instruments by The Jammer.
Okay, here comes the sarcasm. I have always viewed this song as the poster child for naïvety. The Bible teaches, and clearly illustrates, that there has only ever been One sinless person on Earth, and that the rest of us are inherently sinful. The "hope" this song expresses has absolutely no chance of success. So is there an answer to war? Sadly, no. Jesus tells us that there will be "wars and rumors of wars" (Matthew 24:6) until He returns.
There is an episode of the Simpsons in which space aliens conquer Earth when they convince everyone to lay down their weapons. Everyone is enslaved to them until someone picks up a board with a rusty nail in it. Suddenly he has a weapon and Earth is liberated! So that's what I was thinking about when I wrote that last verse.
Pray for Peace (Rick Schroeder)
All instruments by Apple Loops.
My friend Rick Schroeder wrote and released this song quite a few years ago on his album Pegasus Flight. The chorus is the clearest statement of truth on this subject I have ever heard. I really wanted you to hear it and consider its simply stated, yet profound, wisdom.
Reuben James (Woodie Guthrie)
Ed – 6 string guitar. Band-in-a-Box – lead banjo. All other instruments by The Jammer.
When I heard the Kingston Trio sing this song I really liked it. And I was deeply moved by the line "still I wonder why the worst of men must fight and the best of men must die."
Then I began to research the historical event itself. I was outraged to learn that German U-boat commander Erich Topp sank the Reuben James in October 1941, at least 5 weeks before Pearl Harbor and America's entrance into the war. This "courageous" commander sunk the David H. Atwater 6 months later. The Atwater was an unarmed freighter carrying 4,000 tons of coal. As the crew tried to lower the lifeboats Topp machine-gunned the boats and the survivors. After the war he was appointed Chief of Staff in command of the NATO fleet. Clearly Wikipedia must have omitted something because I can't quite understand why we honor a man like that.
The Great American Novel (Larry Norman)
Ed – 12 string guitar. Bass by Apple Loops.
Larry Norman, the first Christian rock musician, first recorded this song in 1972. Stunning how appropriate it is after nearly half a century! Yes, society will always be a mess because we are sinners, but Larry nails the real issue in the last line: "A man leaves his darkness when he follows the Son." Ultimately the only thing that really matters is our relationship with Jesus (Matthew 7:22-23). I only changed a couple of words. For the record, these changes were made when I recorded the song in late 2015.
Road to Freedom (John Stewart)
Ed – 6 & 12 string guitars and banjo. Bass by The Jammer.
A song inspired by protests in the 60s. It is still appropriate, because those who "stand for Liberty" do more than march and protest. They stand up for the persecuted in everyday situations. They defend the helpless against bullying - including physical, psychological, and bureaucratic. And because of sin there will never be a shortage of bullies and those who would forcibly impose their will on others. So truly, we do have "a long way to go."
If You Don't Look Around (John Stewart)
Ed – 12 string guitar. All other instruments by The Jammer.
This is an inspiring song about the courage to take a stand with others who are fighting for Liberty. It was running through my mind as I rode a bus to Washington DC for a March for Life. The song encourages us to do the right thing, no matter how “politically incorrect” it may be. This calls for great courage, and a true understanding of liberty’s real value.
I play my 46 year old Yamaha 12 string on this one. I just needed that low, rough sound it has.
Get Your Act Together (Ed Stockton)
Ed – 6 string guitar. Bass by The Jammer. All other instruments by Apple Loops.
I wrote this song because I wanted to emphasize that while political freedom has immense value, true Freedom is a gift from Jesus Christ which He offers to all who will receive it. “If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” John 8:36, (ESV) My prayer for you and all who hear this song is that you will experience the Freedom of knowing that your sins are forgiven, and that you have been adopted into God's family and now have unrestricted access to your magnificent Heavenly Father. As you learn to know Him and trust His love you, too, will desire to "get your act together and take it on the road." The greatest thrill I have ever known is when I am allowed to be present when God forgives and rescues a soul. You should ask Him to use you in that work. There's nothing like it!
God Bless America / Prayer of Confession (Irving Berlin / Ed Stockton)
All instruments by The Jammer.
This is my prayer - that God WOULD bless America. The Prophet Daniel, while he was a captive in exile from his home, prayed, confessing the sins of Israel. So I borrowed the first line of his prayer (Daniel 9:4 - 5, ESV) and wrote a prayer of confession for the sins of America. Neither Daniel nor I have committed all of the sins in our respective prayers, but we are citizens of a nation that has done so. Thanks be to God that He freely forgives and reconciles all who sincerely repent, seek Him and trust Him.